RESEARCH PROPOSAL ASSIGNMENT
The purpose of this assignment is: 1) to illustrate how research is a scientific process we use in every aspect of our lives, 2) to learn how to design and conduct a research study and 3) to demonstrate how you can apply what you have learned in class.
Throughout the semester we learned how to: formulate a research question, measure concepts (define and operationalize), sample, collect data, and analyze data. This assignment challenges you to “put it all together.” In addition to the concepts learned in research, you will incorporate your knowledge of theories from your other classes. In essence, your final product is a written proposal that illustrates your ability to think carefully about conducting research.
Your proposed study should be designed to establish whether or not a social work intervention is effective in treating an identified issue. Topic areas will be discussed in class and individually with the professor.
Use the following outline. Use the main headings and put them in your paper in APA format, as your guide to ensure you cover all aspects of the assignment. Total length of narrative should be 5-7 pages. Cover sheet, abstract, appendix, and reference page are not included in the page limit.
1. Title Page (APA format) 2. Abstract
a. Typically one paragraph in length.
b. Is a brief summary of the full proposal, not an introduction
3. Background/Literature Review (about 7 – 10 paragraphs)
a. The purpose of this section of your paper is to:
i. Show evidence that a problem exists
ii. Review what others have done to try to address, fix, solve this problem
iii. Establish a rationale for investigating the intervention you believe might help
resolve the problem.
iv. A minimum of 2 current (within ten years) reputable sources are needed
b. The section format should include:
i. Introduction and Problem Statement: Briefly introduce what you are studying.
Explain why this problem area is important/significant to social work. Be sure to cite sources that help you establish that a problem exists including what is known about the prevalence, risk factors & consequences of the problem.
ii. Review of the Literature: You will need at least 5 (and probably more) peer- reviewed articles to do a thorough job on the literature review. In the literature review you want to:
1. Discuss at least 2 current/recent interventions that are being used to address the problem, and identify any strengths and gaps.
If there are no interventions for your problem, then find interventions for a similar problem
2. Discuss your proposed intervention, including research that shows why it could be successful for your problem/population
3. Research gap: why your intervention idea is important, and has not yet been tried for your specific problem and/or population
This section justifies why your research is needed
4. Choose articles that will support your own research question. A key to this part of the literature review is to cite direct or, if none is available,
17
indirect evidence that your intervention will produce the effect you intend. Your goal here is to anticipate and answer any question your reader might have about WHY you are predicting your intervention (i.e., independent variable) will have the effect you believe it will.
iii. Conclusion and research gap: Summarize the key information from your literature, transition into your research question. Identify the gap in research that makes your study something new. This conclusion should convince the reader why your specific study is needed.
4. Aims & Hypotheses (1 – 2 paragraphs)
a. What is the research question?
b. What is the study purpose/specific study aims (the general goals of your study)?
c. What is the related hypothesis?
d. What are the outcomes/dependent variables you’re interested in studying and
measuring? There may be one main outcome/dependent variable and multiple secondary outcomes/variables. For this paper, choose just one outcome/dependent variable to focus on and measure.
NOTE: This section serves as a transition between the Lit. Review & the Methods sections.
5. Research Design and Methods (about 10 paragraphs)
a. Sample
i. Identify your target population –the group to whom the study’s results are expected to apply.
ii. Explain what type of sampling strategy you will be using
iii. Discuss your sampling frame – if you do not have one, explain why not
iv. Explain in detail how you will recruit and draw your sample from this
population.
v. Provide enough information to allow someone reading this paper to implement
the approach you will use to select your sample
vi. Briefly describe your expected final sample – such as sample size, demographic
characteristics of participants
vii. Discuss external validity. Don’t just define external validity – discuss how it
relates to your specific study. Think UTOS from class PPT: in what ways could
your results generalize to similar UTOS? What about less similar UTOS?
b. Describe your research design using appropriate terms you’ve learned during the
semester (you have been instructed to design a study that evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention by comparing two groups of research participants, which requires a particular research design).
i. What is the name of your research model?
ii. What the diagram of your research model (use the code we learned in class, e.g.
X’s O’s R’s, in the appropriate number of rows for your design)?
iii. How will you divide the sample into two groups (intervention and comparison)?
iv. Discuss internal validity for your research design– what are threats to your
internal validity and how will you address them?
c. Intervention
i. Describe in detail what exactly it is that the experimental group will receive (i.e., the treatment, service, therapy, etc. whose effectiveness you are investigating).
ii. Make sure to note who is providing the intervention (i.e., you, people you’ve trained, etc.), where it takes place, how long it lasts, how frequently they are providing it, and any other information that would be important for your reader to understand about the procedures.
iii. What will the comparison group receive, if anything?
18
d. Instruments & Measurement Techniques
i. Identify & describe how you will measure your independent & dependent
variables.
ii. Locate or develop the measurement instrument(s) you will use to collect data
about these variables.
iii. If you use an existing instrument, describe it here and attach a copy in your
appendix. Note: if a suitable measure exists, it is generally better to use in than making one yourself. If there is a cost to your survey, you can just include information about it.
iv. If you develop your own instrument, describe it here and develop 5-10 sample questions or items that you will include in your appendix.
v. Discuss how validity and reliability in measurement was/could be assessed.
vi. NOTE: It is important that this section be connected to your Aims/Hypotheses. If you mention an outcome in the earlier section, you MUST explain here how that
outcome will be measured.
e. Data Collection
i. Identify and discuss your data collection strategy.
ii. Who will actually collect the data?
iii. How will the data be collected, e.g. in-person, by emailed link, etc.?
iv. Justify your data collection strategy.
f. Informed Consent
i. Identify who needs to give informed consent
ii. Briefly explain how you will gain informed consent
iii. You do not need to include a copy of the form
6. Discussion and Limitations (about 4 paragraphs)
a. What results do you anticipate from your study?
b. In what ways will study results advance our knowledge about the problem area?
c. Note strengths and limitations of your study design (think in terms of internal and
external validity of research design).
7. Conclusion (1-2 paragraphs)
a. Wrap up your paper with a discussion of the implications of your study for social work (i.e., if you would confirm your hypotheses, how will the resulting information be helpful to social workers).
8. Reference Page with all references (In APA format)
9. Appendices
a. Measurement instrument, if any
b. If not: your application for the data you will use, or permission form from participant to
obtain data, e.g. from medical records
10. Extra Credit: Qualitative Research (up to one page)
a. Create a qualitative research question that could be an additional question explored in
your study
b. Create 3 qualitative questions that you ask could participants, to help answer your
qualitative research question
c. Identify which participants from your study would answer the questions
d. Briefly discuss how you would collect this qualitative data
All written assignments will be evaluated for the following: (a) accomplishment of outcomes, (b) organization and clarity, (c) demonstration of the ability to integrate and critically apply course content, (d) use of correct spelling and grammar, and (e) appropriate APA formatting and citation of references. A grading rubric is provided on the last page of this syllabus.RESEARCH PROPOSAL ASSIGNMENT
The purpose of this assignment is: 1) to illustrate how research is a scientific process we use in every aspect of our lives, 2) to learn how to design and conduct a research study and 3) to demonstrate how you can apply what you have learned in class.
Throughout the semester we learned how to: formulate a research question, measure concepts (define and operationalize), sample, collect data, and analyze data. This assignment challenges you to “put it all together.” In addition to the concepts learned in research, you will incorporate your knowledge of theories from your other classes. In essence, your final product is a written proposal that illustrates your ability to think carefully about conducting research.
Your proposed study should be designed to establish whether or not a social work intervention is effective in treating an identified issue. Topic areas will be discussed in class and individually with the professor.
Use the following outline. Use the main headings and put them in your paper in APA format, as your guide to ensure you cover all aspects of the assignment. Total length of narrative should be 5-7 pages. Cover sheet, abstract, appendix, and reference page are not included in the page limit.
1. Title Page (APA format) 2. Abstract
a. Typically one paragraph in length.
b. Is a brief summary of the full proposal, not an introduction
3. Background/Literature Review (about 7 – 10 paragraphs)
a. The purpose of this section of your paper is to:
i. Show evidence that a problem exists
ii. Review what others have done to try to address, fix, solve this problem
iii. Establish a rationale for investigating the intervention you believe might help
resolve the problem.
iv. A minimum of 2 current (within ten years) reputable sources are needed
b. The section format should include:
i. Introduction and Problem Statement: Briefly introduce what you are studying.
Explain why this problem area is important/significant to social work. Be sure to cite sources that help you establish that a problem exists including what is known about the prevalence, risk factors & consequences of the problem.
ii. Review of the Literature: You will need at least 5 (and probably more) peer- reviewed articles to do a thorough job on the literature review. In the literature review you want to:
1. Discuss at least 2 current/recent interventions that are being used to address the problem, and identify any strengths and gaps.
If there are no interventions for your problem, then find interventions for a similar problem
2. Discuss your proposed intervention, including research that shows why it could be successful for your problem/population
3. Research gap: why your intervention idea is important, and has not yet been tried for your specific problem and/or population
This section justifies why your research is needed
4. Choose articles that will support your own research question. A key to this part of the literature review is to cite direct or, if none is available,
17
indirect evidence that your intervention will produce the effect you intend. Your goal here is to anticipate and answer any question your reader might have about WHY you are predicting your intervention (i.e., independent variable) will have the effect you believe it will.
iii. Conclusion and research gap: Summarize the key information from your literature, transition into your research question. Identify the gap in research that makes your study something new. This conclusion should convince the reader why your specific study is needed.
4. Aims & Hypotheses (1 – 2 paragraphs)
a. What is the research question?
b. What is the study purpose/specific study aims (the general goals of your study)?
c. What is the related hypothesis?
d. What are the outcomes/dependent variables you’re interested in studying and
measuring? There may be one main outcome/dependent variable and multiple secondary outcomes/variables. For this paper, choose just one outcome/dependent variable to focus on and measure.
NOTE: This section serves as a transition between the Lit. Review & the Methods sections.
5. Research Design and Methods (about 10 paragraphs)
a. Sample
i. Identify your target population –the group to whom the study’s results are expected to apply.
ii. Explain what type of sampling strategy you will be using
iii. Discuss your sampling frame – if you do not have one, explain why not
iv. Explain in detail how you will recruit and draw your sample from this
population.
v. Provide enough information to allow someone reading this paper to implement
the approach you will use to select your sample
vi. Briefly describe your expected final sample – such as sample size, demographic
characteristics of participants
vii. Discuss external validity. Don’t just define external validity – discuss how it
relates to your specific study. Think UTOS from class PPT: in what ways could
your results generalize to similar UTOS? What about less similar UTOS?
b. Describe your research design using appropriate terms you’ve learned during the
semester (you have been instructed to design a study that evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention by comparing two groups of research participants, which requires a particular research design).
i. What is the name of your research model?
ii. What the diagram of your research model (use the code we learned in class, e.g.
X’s O’s R’s, in the appropriate number of rows for your design)?
iii. How will you divide the sample into two groups (intervention and comparison)?
iv. Discuss internal validity for your research design– what are threats to your
internal validity and how will you address them?
c. Intervention
i. Describe in detail what exactly it is that the experimental group will receive (i.e., the treatment, service, therapy, etc. whose effectiveness you are investigating).
ii. Make sure to note who is providing the intervention (i.e., you, people you’ve trained, etc.), where it takes place, how long it lasts, how frequently they are providing it, and any other information that would be important for your reader to understand about the procedures.
iii. What will the comparison group receive, if anything?
18
d. Instruments & Measurement Techniques
i. Identify & describe how you will measure your independent & dependent
variables.
ii. Locate or develop the measurement instrument(s) you will use to collect data
about these variables.
iii. If you use an existing instrument, describe it here and attach a copy in your
appendix. Note: if a suitable measure exists, it is generally better to use in than making one yourself. If there is a cost to your survey, you can just include information about it.
iv. If you develop your own instrument, describe it here and develop 5-10 sample questions or items that you will include in your appendix.
v. Discuss how validity and reliability in measurement was/could be assessed.
vi. NOTE: It is important that this section be connected to your Aims/Hypotheses. If you mention an outcome in the earlier section, you MUST explain here how that
outcome will be measured.
e. Data Collection
i. Identify and discuss your data collection strategy.
ii. Who will actually collect the data?
iii. How will the data be collected, e.g. in-person, by emailed link, etc.?
iv. Justify your data collection strategy.
f. Informed Consent
i. Identify who needs to give informed consent
ii. Briefly explain how you will gain informed consent
iii. You do not need to include a copy of the form
6. Discussion and Limitations (about 4 paragraphs)
a. What results do you anticipate from your study?
b. In what ways will study results advance our knowledge about the problem area?
c. Note strengths and limitations of your study design (think in terms of internal and
external validity of research design).
7. Conclusion (1-2 paragraphs)
a. Wrap up your paper with a discussion of the implications of your study for social work (i.e., if you would confirm your hypotheses, how will the resulting information be helpful to social workers).
8. Reference Page with all references (In APA format)
9. Appendices
a. Measurement instrument, if any
b. If not: your application for the data you will use, or permission form from participant to
obtain data, e.g. from medical records
10. Extra Credit: Qualitative Research (up to one page)
a. Create a qualitative research question that could be an additional question explored in
your study
b. Create 3 qualitative questions that you ask could participants, to help answer your
qualitative research question
c. Identify which participants from your study would answer the questions
d. Briefly discuss how you would collect this qualitative data
All written assignments will be evaluated for the following: (a) accomplishment of outcomes, (b) organization and clarity, (c) demonstration of the ability to integrate and critically apply course content, (d) use of correct spelling and grammar, and (e) appropriate APA formatting and citation of references. A grading rubric is provided on the last page of this syllabus.RESEARCH PROPOSAL ASSIGNMENT
The purpose of this assignment is: 1) to illustrate how research is a scientific process we use in every aspect of our lives, 2) to learn how to design and conduct a research study and 3) to demonstrate how you can apply what you have learned in class.
Throughout the semester we learned how to: formulate a research question, measure concepts (define and operationalize), sample, collect data, and analyze data. This assignment challenges you to “put it all together.” In addition to the concepts learned in research, you will incorporate your knowledge of theories from your other classes. In essence, your final product is a written proposal that illustrates your ability to think carefully about conducting research.
Your proposed study should be designed to establish whether or not a social work intervention is effective in treating an identified issue. Topic areas will be discussed in class and individually with the professor.
Use the following outline. Use the main headings and put them in your paper in APA format, as your guide to ensure you cover all aspects of the assignment. Total length of narrative should be 5-7 pages. Cover sheet, abstract, appendix, and reference page are not included in the page limit.
1. Title Page (APA format) 2. Abstract
a. Typically one paragraph in length.
b. Is a brief summary of the full proposal, not an introduction
3. Background/Literature Review (about 7 – 10 paragraphs)
a. The purpose of this section of your paper is to:
i. Show evidence that a problem exists
ii. Review what others have done to try to address, fix, solve this problem
iii. Establish a rationale for investigating the intervention you believe might help
resolve the problem.
iv. A minimum of 2 current (within ten years) reputable sources are needed
b. The section format should include:
i. Introduction and Problem Statement: Briefly introduce what you are studying.
Explain why this problem area is important/significant to social work. Be sure to cite sources that help you establish that a problem exists including what is known about the prevalence, risk factors & consequences of the problem.
ii. Review of the Literature: You will need at least 5 (and probably more) peer- reviewed articles to do a thorough job on the literature review. In the literature review you want to:
1. Discuss at least 2 current/recent interventions that are being used to address the problem, and identify any strengths and gaps.
If there are no interventions for your problem, then find interventions for a similar problem
2. Discuss your proposed intervention, including research that shows why it could be successful for your problem/population
3. Research gap: why your intervention idea is important, and has not yet been tried for your specific problem and/or population
This section justifies why your research is needed
4. Choose articles that will support your own research question. A key to this part of the literature review is to cite direct or, if none is available,
17
indirect evidence that your intervention will produce the effect you intend. Your goal here is to anticipate and answer any question your reader might have about WHY you are predicting your intervention (i.e., independent variable) will have the effect you believe it will.
iii. Conclusion and research gap: Summarize the key information from your literature, transition into your research question. Identify the gap in research that makes your study something new. This conclusion should convince the reader why your specific study is needed.
4. Aims & Hypotheses (1 – 2 paragraphs)
a. What is the research question?
b. What is the study purpose/specific study aims (the general goals of your study)?
c. What is the related hypothesis?
d. What are the outcomes/dependent variables you’re interested in studying and
measuring? There may be one main outcome/dependent variable and multiple secondary outcomes/variables. For this paper, choose just one outcome/dependent variable to focus on and measure.
NOTE: This section serves as a transition between the Lit. Review & the Methods sections.
5. Research Design and Methods (about 10 paragraphs)
a. Sample
i. Identify your target population –the group to whom the study’s results are expected to apply.
ii. Explain what type of sampling strategy you will be using
iii. Discuss your sampling frame – if you do not have one, explain why not
iv. Explain in detail how you will recruit and draw your sample from this
population.
v. Provide enough information to allow someone reading this paper to implement
the approach you will use to select your sample
vi. Briefly describe your expected final sample – such as sample size, demographic
characteristics of participants
vii. Discuss external validity. Don’t just define external validity – discuss how it
relates to your specific study. Think UTOS from class PPT: in what ways could
your results generalize to similar UTOS? What about less similar UTOS?
b. Describe your research design using appropriate terms you’ve learned during the
semester (you have been instructed to design a study that evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention by comparing two groups of research participants, which requires a particular research design).
i. What is the name of your research model?
ii. What the diagram of your research model (use the code we learned in class, e.g.
X’s O’s R’s, in the appropriate number of rows for your design)?
iii. How will you divide the sample into two groups (intervention and comparison)?
iv. Discuss internal validity for your research design– what are threats to your
internal validity and how will you address them?
c. Intervention
i. Describe in detail what exactly it is that the experimental group will receive (i.e., the treatment, service, therapy, etc. whose effectiveness you are investigating).
ii. Make sure to note who is providing the intervention (i.e., you, people you’ve trained, etc.), where it takes place, how long it lasts, how frequently they are providing it, and any other information that would be important for your reader to understand about the procedures.
iii. What will the comparison group receive, if anything?
18
d. Instruments & Measurement Techniques
i. Identify & describe how you will measure your independent & dependent
variables.
ii. Locate or develop the measurement instrument(s) you will use to collect data
about these variables.
iii. If you use an existing instrument, describe it here and attach a copy in your
appendix. Note: if a suitable measure exists, it is generally better to use in than making one yourself. If there is a cost to your survey, you can just include information about it.
iv. If you develop your own instrument, describe it here and develop 5-10 sample questions or items that you will include in your appendix.
v. Discuss how validity and reliability in measurement was/could be assessed.
vi. NOTE: It is important that this section be connected to your Aims/Hypotheses. If you mention an outcome in the earlier section, you MUST explain here how that
outcome will be measured.
e. Data Collection
i. Identify and discuss your data collection strategy.
ii. Who will actually collect the data?
iii. How will the data be collected, e.g. in-person, by emailed link, etc.?
iv. Justify your data collection strategy.
f. Informed Consent
i. Identify who needs to give informed consent
ii. Briefly explain how you will gain informed consent
iii. You do not need to include a copy of the form
6. Discussion and Limitations (about 4 paragraphs)
a. What results do you anticipate from your study?
b. In what ways will study results advance our knowledge about the problem area?
c. Note strengths and limitations of your study design (think in terms of internal and
external validity of research design).
7. Conclusion (1-2 paragraphs)
a. Wrap up your paper with a discussion of the implications of your study for social work (i.e., if you would confirm your hypotheses, how will the resulting information be helpful to social workers).
8. Reference Page with all references (In APA format)
9. Appendices
a. Measurement instrument, if any
b. If not: your application for the data you will use, or permission form from participant to
obtain data, e.g. from medical records
10. Extra Credit: Qualitative Research (up to one page)
a. Create a qualitative research question that could be an additional question explored in
your study
b. Create 3 qualitative questions that you ask could participants, to help answer your
qualitative research question
c. Identify which participants from your study would answer the questions
d. Briefly discuss how you would collect this qualitative data
All written assignments will be evaluated for the following: (a) accomplishment of outcomes, (b) organization and clarity, (c) demonstration of the ability to integrate and critically apply course content, (d) use of correct spelling and grammar, and (e) appropriate APA formatting and citation of references. A grading rubric is provided on the last page of this syllabus.